Wrist brace and method for alleviating and preventing wrist pain

ABSTRACT

A wrist brace includes a flexible main body having one or more pressure transmitting members disposed thereon designed to impart focused pressure on a tendon of interest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wrist braces, and moreparticularly, to a flexible wrist brace for alleviating the symptomsassociated with wrist injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnarneuritis, without restricting the wearer's ability to grasp objects andperform daily tasks. Additionally, the present invention is directed tomethods for alleviating and preventing wrist pain associated with suchwrist injuries.

Many people suffer from injury to the soft tissues of the wrist andcarpal tunnel, often caused by frequent, sustained repetitive motioninvolving the hands. Repetitive activities which require the same orsimilar hand/wrist action can result in injuries which have beencollectively referred to as Cumulative Repetitive Stress Syndrome orRepetitive Strain Injury. The most familiar and common of such wristinjuries is known as carpal tunnel syndrome which produces pain,discomfort, nerve conduction disturbances, and impairment of function ofthe hand and sometimes the arm as well. The most common symptoms of thiscondition include intermittent pain and numbness of the hand.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from theforearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. Themedian nerve provides feeling in one's thumb, along with the index,middle and ring fingers. The median nerve controls sensations to thepalmar side of the thumb and these fingers as well as impulses to somemuscles in the hand which allow the fingers and thumb to move. Themedian nerve receives blood, oxygen and nutrients through amicrovascular system which is present in the connective tissuesurrounding the nerve fiber. Increased pressure on the nerve fiber canconstrict these microvessels and will reduce the blood flow to themedian nerve. Any prolong deprivation of oxygen and nutrients can resultin severe nerve damage.

The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel, a canal in the wristsurrounded by the carpal bones on three sides and a fibrous sheathcalled the transverse carpal ligament (“flexor rethinaculum”) on thefourth side. In addition to the median nerve, the nine flexor tendons inthe hand pass through this canal. When compressed, the median nerve willcause pain, weakness or numbness in the hand and wrist which may alsoradiate up along the arm. The median nerve can be compressed by adecrease in the size of the carpal cannel itself or an increase in thesize of its contents (i.e., such as the swelling of the flexor tendonsand the lubrication tissue surrounding these flexor tendons), or both.For example, conditions that irritate or inflame the tendons can causethem to swell. The thickening of irritated tendons or swelling of othertissue within the canal narrows the carpal canal, causing the mediannerve to be compressed. The cross-sectional area of the tunnel alsochanges when the hand and wrist changes positions. Wrist flexion orextension can decrease the cross-sectional area, thus increasing thepressure exerted on the median nerve. Flexion also causes the flexortendons to somewhat rearrange which can also compress the median nerve.For example, simple bending of the wrist at a 90° angle will decreasesize of the carpal canal. Without treatment, carpal tunnel syndrome canlead to chronic neural muscular disorders of the hand and sometimes thearm.

While carpal tunnel syndrome is generally associated with repetitivemotion involving the hands, physiology and family history may also playsignificant roles in a person's susceptibility to the injury. Forexample, the disorder is sometimes due to a congenital predisposition,namely, that the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than inothers. Other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wristthat cause swelling, such as a sprain or fracture. Over activity of thepituitary gland, physiological problems in the wrist joint itself, workstress, fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause and diseases suchas diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disease are stilladditional sources which may lead to the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome may include non-surgical andsurgical procedures. Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should beginas early as possible to prevent the occurrence of more severe symptoms.Non-surgical treatments include the restriction of the motion of thewrist by immobilizing braces or splints; controlling the pain andswelling by administering anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin,ibuprofen and other non-prescriptive pain relievers; administeringdiuretics to decrease swelling; and injecting the wrist with pain killersuch as corticosteroids or the drug lidocaine. Other non-surgicaltreatments include, but are not limited to, applying heat or cold to theeffective site to promote repair of the injured tissue; performingphysical therapy to the hand and wrist to reduce the stress on thewrist; adopting a more ergonomic work and life environment; and avoidingor curtailing the hand motion which produces the inflammation in thefirst place. If the symptoms cannot be treated with non-surgicalintervention, then surgery may be required. Carpal tunnel release is oneof the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States totreat carpal tunnel syndrome. This surgery involves severing thetransverse carpal ligament to relieve the pressure on the median nerve.Surgery is usually done under local anesthetic and usual does notrequire an overnight hospital stay.

Another painful injury to the wrist is ulnar neuritis which, like carpaltunnel syndrome, results in numbness, tingly, a burning sensation andpain in the hands and fingers. The ulnar nerve, like the median nerve,can be impinged and irritated at the wrist. The ulnar nerve runs downthe ulnar (small finger) side of the wrist. It supplies sensation to thesmall and ring fingers as well as controls some small muscles of thehand. Similar factors as those seen with carpal tunnel syndrome cancontribute to ulnar neuritis. Direct pressure on the nerve for longperiods of time, such as biking, is a significant contributor to theproblem. Trauma or a fall on the palm may also bring about symptoms. Theulnar tunnel (also referred to as Guyon's canal) is a canal in the wristthat contains both the ulnar nerve and the ulnar artery. Compression ofthe ulnar nerve, like compression of the median nerve, can cause similarsymptoms as carpal tunnel syndrome. This syndrome is much less commonthen carpal tunnel syndrome yet both conditions can occur at the sametime. The numbness caused by these two syndromes effect the hand indifferent locations. When the median nerve is compressed in carpaltunnel syndrome, pain and numbness spread into the thumb, index finger,middle finger and half the ring finger. Compression of the ulnar nervein the Guyon's canal usually causes numbness in the pinky and half ofthe ring finger. Non-surgical treatment for ulnar neuritis is similar tocarpal tunnel syndrome. If all attempts to control the symptomsutilizing non-surgical techniques fail, then surgery may be needed toreduce the pressure on the ulnar nerve.

One way to prevent the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome is to prevent theswelling or inflammation of the flexor tendons (the flexor digitorumsuperficialis tendons and flexor digitorum profundus tendons) whichextend through the carpal tunnel. Additionally, prevention ofinflammation to the flexor tendon sheath and the lubrication tissuesurrounding the flexor tendons will help to alleviate compression of themedian nerve. Additionally, there are other tendons surrounding thecarpal tunnel which also can become inflamed and swollen and could exertadditional pressure on the median nerve. These tendons include thepalmaris longus tendon, the flexor carpi radialis tendon and the flexorcarpi ulnaris tendon. The palmaris longus tendon can become swollen andcan cause additional pressure on the median nerve due to its closeproximally thereto. The same is true of the flexor carpi radialistendon. In the case of ulnar neuritis, should the flexor carpi ulnaristendon become swollen and inflamed, it's proximity to the ulnar nervecan be a source of increased pressure on the ulnar nerve. Therefore, theprevention of the inflammation and swelling of these wrist tendonsserves as a good treatment for preventing carpal tunnel syndrome andulnar neuritis.

The swelling and inflammation of the flexor tendons and tendons withinin the wrist of a person is often caused by the stretching and outwardmovement of the tendons within the wrist as the wrist flexes and extendsand fingers move. In this regard, the tendon has a tendency to stretchand move in an outwardly fashion away from the carpal bones in the wristwhich can cause the tendon sheath, and the tendon itself, to becomeswollen or inflamed when this same motion is repeated again and again.This constant stretching of the tendon in both a longitudinal and anoutward direction is a primary cause of the inflammation and swelling ofthe tendon and tissue in the wrist area. Prolonged and continuoussubjection of the tendons to this repetitive motion only causesadditional stretching of the tendons and surrounding tissue and onlyincreases the pain. Irritation and swelling of the tendon can bealleviated by preventing the tendon from stretching and moving outwardlyin the first place.

As mentioned above, one approach to lessening the pain associated withcarpal tunnel syndrome and ulnas neuritis is to restrain the wrist toprevent the repetitive hand motions which cause the discomfort in thefirst place. In this regard, many wrist braces have been develop toaddress the need to confine the wrist and forearm in an immobilizedposition. While such braces or splints do somewhat reduce continuedinjury to the median nerve and ulnar nerve by restraining this wrist,such wrist braces and splints usually restrict the motion of the fingersand flexion and extension of the wrist. Such braces and splints canprevent the wearer from properly grasping objects and performing normaldaily tasks utilizing the affected hand.

What have been needed and heretofore unavailable are improved wristbrace and methods for alleviating and reducing the adverse resultscaused by injuries to the wrist, such as carpal tunnel syndrome andulnar neuritis. Such a device and method should eliminate thedisadvantages and shortcomings associated with prior developed bracesand splints. Preferably, the brace device should be lightweight andrelatively simple in construction to allow the user to wear the bracedevice without much interference to the wearer's ability to flex thewrist and manipulate the fingers in a normal fashion. It should bedesigned so that the device can be easily placed on the hand with aminimal need to reposition the brace on the wrist in response to handand wrist motion. Also, it would be beneficial and economical if thewrist brace could be worn on either hand of the individual. The presentinventions disclosed herein satisfy these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, the present invention is directed to a novel wristbrace construction that utilizes pressure transmitting members designedto impart localized and direct pressure on specific tendons that aremore vulnerable to stretching and developing injury to the wrist. Inthis manner, the present invention is designed to help prevent theunwanted stretching of the wrist tendons along with the associatedinflammation and discomfort associated with a wrist injury. The wristbrace includes a flexible main body which is adapted to be wrappedaround the hand/wrist of the wearer. Pressure transmitting members aredisposed along the main body of the wrist brace at particular locationswhere the pressure transmitting members will be strategically placedover the tendons of interest once the wrist brace is placed around thewrist of the wearer. In one aspect of the invention, the flexible mainbody can be snuggly wrapped around the user's hand/wrist to allow thepressure transmitting members to impart localized and focused pressureon specific tendons of interest. The size and shape of these pressuretransmitting members are selected such that the pressure transmittingmember applies most of the focused pressure on the tendon itself whileonly a small amount of focused pressure will be actually be applied inthe area surrounding the tendon. In one aspect of the present invention,the flexible main body includes means for varying the amount of focusedpressure which can be developed by the pressure transmitting members.For example, a hook and loop fastener (i.e. Velcro fastener) can be usedto allow the wearer to change the amount of inward pressure developed bythe wrist brace and the pressure transmitting members. Such an elementallows the wearer to increase or decrease the amount of focused pressuredeveloped by simply positioning the loop fastener to vary the snugnessthat the flexible main body impart to the wearer's hand/wrist.

In one aspect of the invention, the pressure transmitting member isdesigned to provide localized and focused pressure directly onto theflexor tendons which extend through the carpal tunnel. These flexortendons includes the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons and flexordigitorum profundus tendons. The pressure transmitting member isdisposed on the flexible main body of the wrist brace and is adapted toapply the focused pressure to the flexor tendons in the region of thetransverse carpal ligament, which forms part of the carpal tunnel. Inthis regard, the pressure transmitting member provides sufficient amountof radial force or focused pressure on these particular tendons toprevent them from stretching outwardly during physical activity. As aresult, normal trauma and stretching that usually occurs during physicalactivity are diminished since the pressure transmitting member helps tomaintain these tendons from stretching outwardly, thus helping toprevent the tendons from becoming swollen or inflamed. This samepressure transmitting member also will apply focused pressure to thepalmaris longus tendon since this tendon lies directly over the flexortendons above the transverse carpal ligament and should help to preventinflammation or swelling of this tendon as well.

In another aspect of the invention, additional pressure transmittingmembers are disposed on the flexible main body forming the wrist braceto apply focused pressure on other tendons in the wrist, such as theflexor carpi radialis tendon, which extends outside of the carpal tunnelbut is none the less susceptible to the same outward stretching that cancause swelling and inflammation of this tendon as well. Another pressuretransmitting member can be disposed on the flexible main body formingthe wrist brace to apply focused pressure on the flexor carpi ulnaristendon in order to help prevent ulnar neuritis from developing in thewrist. Although the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon is not located directlyin Guyon's canal, the swelling or inflammation of this tendon can leadto compression of the ulnar nerve which is the cause of ulnar neuritis.Prevention of the swelling of this particular tendon can reduce pressureto be placed on the ulnar nerve.

The present invention also utilizes a pressure transmitting memberdisposed on the main body to apply focused pressure to the tendons onthe backside of the wrist, which are also susceptible to stretching thatcan cause inflammation and pain. This pressure transmitting member isdesigned to extend over and apply focused pressure to the extensordigitorum tendons and the extensor indicis tendon along the region ofthe extensor retinaculum ligament. This pressure transmitting membershould help to prevent the unwanted stretching of these tendons duringphysical activity.

The wrist brace of the present invention is designed to allow the wearerto maintain almost full use of his/her fingers, along with near normalflexion and extension of the wrist, while the wrist brace is being worn.As a result, the wearer can assume normal activities with his/her handwhile preventing tendons from becoming swollen or inflamed even if whenperforming repetitive hand/wrist motions which would otherwise result insuch swelling and inflammation. A wrist brace in accordance with thepresent invention is thus useful in alleviating the wrist painassociated with wrist injuries, including, but not limited to carpaltunnel syndrome and ulnar neuritis since the wrist brace helps topresent the stretching of the tendons which is the primary cause of thewrist injury in the first place. As a result, the use of the wristbrace, in conjunction with another non-surgical treatment, such astaking anti-inflammatory drugs, will greatly diminish the pain anddiscomfort associated with wrist injuries. Additionally, the wrist braceof the present invention can be used before the onset of any wristinjury or pain. An individual can wear the wrist brace when performingrepetitive hand motions or engaging in other activities which wouldotherwise lead to wrist injury since there is little loss of normalmotion of the wrist and fingers when wearing the present invention.

A method for alleviating or preventing wrist pain includes providing awrist brace having pressure transmitting members which apply focusedpressure to the flexor tendons in the region of the transverse carpalligament. Other methods include applying focused pressure to the flexorcarpi ulnaris tendon and the other tendons, either separately ortogether in various combinations.

These and other advantages of the present invention become more apparentfrom the following detailed description of the invention, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wrist brace made inaccordance with the present invention as it is mounted on a wearer'swrist and hand, showing the palmar side of the wearer's hand, with thepressure transmitting members of the wrist brace in phantom, asindicated by broken in lines, as these members contact the wrist of thewearer to apply focused pressure to the underlying tendons;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wrist brace of FIG. 1 depicting thebackside of the hand and wrist of the wearer, showing an additionalpressure transmitting member in phantom, as indicated by broken inlines, as the member contacts the back side of the wrist of the wearerto apply focused pressure to the underlying tendons;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the wrist brace of FIG. 1 showing the forcetransmitting members attached to inner surface of the flexible, mainbody of the wrist brace;

FIG. 4 is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the wearer's wristshowing the carpal tunnel, Guyon's canal and the wrist brace of FIG. 1demonstrating the various force transmitting members applying focusedpressure to the various tendons in the wrist;

FIG. 5 is a partially cut away view of the palmar portion of thewearer's hand showing the placement of the wrist brace of FIG. 1 withthe force transmitting members in phantom, as indicated by broken lines;

FIG. 6 is a partially cut away view of the backside of the wearer's handshowing the wrist brace of FIG. 1 with the force transmitting member inphantom, as indicated by broken lines;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wrist brace madein accordance with the present invention as it is mounted on a wearer'swrist and hand, showing the palmar side of the wearer's hand with thepressure transmitting members of the wrist brace in phantom, asindicated by broken in lines, as these members contact the wrist of thewearer to apply focused pressure to the underlying tendons;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a forcetransmitting member made in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the focused force transmittingmember of FIG. 8 taken along lines 9-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, an embodiment of a wrist brace made inaccordance with the present invention is generally designated by thereference numeral 10. The wrist brace 10 includes a flexible main body12 that is designed to wrap around the hand (H)/wrist(W) of the wearer.The wrist brace 10 includes pressure transmitting members 14-20 whichare disposed on the flexible main body 12 and are adapted to applylocalized and focused pressure to certain tendons in the wrist. Theidentification of these tendons and the anatomy of the wrist will beaddressed in greater detail below. The particular construction of theparticular wrist brace 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6 allows the wrist brace 10to be worn on either the left or right wrist of the wearer.

Referring specifically now to FIG. 3, the flexible main body 12 is shownas an elongate structure having a thumb opening 22 formed therein. Thisflexible main body 12 includes an inner surface 24, shown in FIG. 3, andan outer surface 26, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inner surface 24 isdesigned to come in direct contact with the user's hand and has thepressure transmitting members 14-20 connected thereto. The thumb opening22 is located at one end of the flexible main body 12 and the other endhas a hook fastener 28 attached thereto. In use, this hook fastener 28is designed to come in contact with the outer surface 26 of the mainbody, as is shown in FIG. 1, in order to maintain the wrist brace inplace. The outer surface 26 can be made from a suitable “loop” materialwhich cooperates with the hook fastener 28 to hold the main body 12snugly in place on the wearer. This hook and loop fastener also allowsthe wearer to adjust the amount of snugness that is imparted by thewrist brace to the wearer. The flexible main body 12, in turn, helps toachieve an inward force or pressure which acts on each of the pressuretransmitting member 14-20 to allows these members 14-20 to apply thefocused pressure onto the tendons of interest. Accordingly, the wearercan adjust the amount of focused pressure being imparted by the pressuretransmitting members 14-20 by simply adjusting the snugness imparted bythe flexible main body. The hook and loop fastener system provides justone simple and convenient mechanism for adjusting the snugness impartedby the flexible main body 12. It will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that other fastening means and components besides the hook andloop fastener system shown on the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 could beutilized to maintain the wrist brace 10 snuggly wrapped around thewearer's hand/wrist.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, a cross sectional view of thewearer's wrist is shown which generally depicts the anatomy of wrist andthe various tendons found in the wrist, along with the placement of thepressure transmitting members 14-20 associated with the wrist brace 10.The carpal tunnel is generally shown as it is formed by the carpalbones, namely, the hamate, capitate, trapezoid and trapezium bones onthree sides and the transverse carpal ligament (flexor retinaculum) onthe palmar side of the hand. The median nerve and the flexor tendonsextend through the carpal tunnel as is shown in FIG. 4. The flexortendons include the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons and flexordigitorum profundus tendons, which are generally bundled together, alongwith the flexor pollicis longus tendon which is located next to themedian nerve. The palmaris longus tendon is located outside of thecarpal tunnel and directly above the transverse carpal ligament. Theflexor carpi radialis tendon is located outside of the carpal tunnel,but in close proximity to the median nerve. The ulnar nerve and arteryare found in Guyon's canal located outside of, an to the top right, ofthe carpal tunnel. The flexor carpi ulnaris tendon is shown positionedbelow the ulnar nerve and artery directly above the hamate bone. On thebackside of the hand, the extensor digitorum tendons and the extensorindicis tendon are shown collectively behind the capitate bone.

In FIG. 4, the wrist brace 10 is shown with the pressure transmittingelements 14-20 directly over the tendons of interests. As can be seen inFIG. 4, the middle force transmitting member 14 is placed directly overthe flexor digitorum superficialis tendons and flexor digitorumprofundus tendons located in the carpal tunnel. This pressuretransmitting element 14 also contacts the palmaris longus tendon due toits proximity above the carpal tunnel. In this regard, this pressuretransmitting member 14 maintains a focused pressure on these varioustendons to prevent them from stretching outwardly during repetitivewrist and finger motions. This particular pressure transmitting member14 is shown having a disc-like shape which allows the member 14 toextend over all of these tendons of interest in order to provide thefocused pressure needed to prevent the tendons from stretching outwardwhen certain hand motions are made. Accordingly, the size and shape ofthis forced transmitting member 14 are designed basically to cover thearea needed to apply the focused pressure directly onto these tendons.As can best be seen in FIG. 5, this pressure transmitting member 14 isplaced over the region of the transverse carpal ligament. The length andwidth of the pressure transmitting element 14 can be varied such thatthis pressure is designed to act primarily on the tendons of interest.Although this forced transmitting member 14 is shown generally as adisc-like structure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat many other shapes and sizes of the pressure transmitting membercould be utilized in accordance with the present invention.

The second pressure transmitting member 16, shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5,is utilized to place forced pressure on the flexor carpi ulnaris tendonin order to prevent ulnar neuritis from developing. This particularpressure transmitting member 16 is designed to extend over the portionof the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon which extends outside of thetransverse carpal ligament. Unlike the first-mentioned pressuretransmitting member 14 which requires a larger contact area, thisparticular pressure transmitting member 16 has a tubular shape whichgenerally reduces the contact area that is needed to place focusedpressure onto the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon. Again, it should beappreciated that other sizes and shapes could be utilized in accordancewith the present invention to create the pressure transmitting member16. Additionally, if the pressure transmitting member has a smallercontact area, then the wrist brace should provide more wrist flexibilityto the wearer since there would be less structural elements in the way.A smaller contact area also helps to reduce the amount of focusedpressure that would be applied to tissue and structure surrounding thetendon.

The third pressure transmitting member 18 disposed on the flexible mainbody 12 on the palmar side of the hand is positioned to provide focusedpressure to the flexor carpi radialis tendon in the wrist. Again, whilethe flexor carpi radialis tendon does not extend within the carpaltunnel, its close proximity to the median nerve could cause compressionto the medial nerve should this particular tendon become swollen orinflamed from repetitive hand/wrist motion. This particular pressuretransmitting member 18, like the second pressure transmitting member 16discussed above, is shown as a cylindrically shaped structure in orderto create a particular contact area which focuses the pressure almostdirectly onto the tendon of interest. Like the other pressuretransmitting elements 14 and 16, the size and shape of this particularpressure transmitting member 18 can be modified, as needed, in order tocreate the desired contact area needed to maintain the tendon fromstretching outwardly.

Another pressure transmitting element 20, shown disposed on the flexiblemain body 12 on the backside of the hand in FIGS. 4 and 6, placesfocused pressure on the extensor digitorum tendons and the extensorindicis tendon. FIG. 6 shows the general placement of the pressuretransmitting member 20 over the extensor retinaculum ligament whichextends over the extensor digitorum tendons and the extensor indicistendon. This particular pressure transmitting member 20 is shown havinga circular, disc-like shape in order to create a suitable contact areawhich primarily focuses pressure to these tendons only. Again, the sizeand shape can be varied to obtain the desired contact area needed toproperly focus the pressure against these tendons of interest.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which thewrist brace 10 takes the form of a glove-like structure and includes thepressure transmitting members associated with the particular wrist braceshown in FIGS. 1-6. In this particular embodiment of the invention, theflexible main body 30, formed as a glove (with or without fingersleeves), maintains the pressure transmitting members 14-20 in properposition over the respective tendons. The glove may include straps (notshown) which allows the wearer to adjust the force imparted by thepressure transmitting members. This embodiment shows just one of thenumerous forms that the wrist brace can be made in accordance with thepresent invention. Others include, but are not limited to, the formationof the flexible main body as a sleeve like structure which allows thewearer to slip the sleeve over the wearer's hand in order to place thepressure transmitting elements 14-20 in proper position over the tendonsof interest. Such a sleeve-like structure may include straps, or otherfastening devices, to increase or decrease the amount of pressureapplied by the sleeve and pressure transmitting members on the wrist ofthe wearer.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a particular embodiment of a pressuretransmitting member 32 is disclosed. In this particular embodiment,individual pressure transmitting members are integrally connected via asingle base 34 which can, in turn, be attached to the inner surface ofthe flexible main body. This structure eliminates the need to attachseparate pressure transmitting members, such as the ones shown in FIGS.1-6, to reduce the manufacturing steps needed to produce a commercialwrist brace made in accordance with the present invention. As can beseen in FIG. 8, the base 34 includes three raised projections 36-40which act as the pressure transmitting members in accordance with thepresent invention. As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the size and shapeof these raised projections 36-40 can be varied, as needed to create thecontact area needed to apply the focused pressure to the respectivetendons of interest. This embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 shows justone of the many ways in which the forced transmitting members can bemanufactured in accordance with the present invention and used inconjunction with the flexible main body. This embodiment of forcetransmitting member 32 could be used with any of the embodiments of themain body disclosed and described herein.

Preferably, the main body 12 can be made from an elastic material whichis capable of stretching and applying an inward force or pressure on thepressure transmitting members in order to allow the pressuretransmitting members to impart the focused pressure on the tendons ofinterest. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, neoprene,which may be terrycloth covered, spandex, and other elastic materialswell known in the industry. The main body can be formed in the shapeshown in FIGS. 1-6 or similar shapes. The flexible main body can be madefrom a commercially available hand/wrist wrap, such as one sold byBecton, Dickinson & Co. under the trademark ACE® and disclosed in FIGS.1-6. Still other similar type wrist wraps could be utilized as the mainflexible main body which forms part of the wrist brace of the presentinvention. The flexible main body can be made from a non-elasticmaterial, if desired, however, components for applying force on thepressure transmitting members (straps, fasteners and the like) may berequired.

The pressure transmitting members disclosed herein can be made from arigid or simi-rigid material which, in cooperation with the flexiblemain body, imparts focused pressure onto the tendons of interests. Inthis regard, the pressure transmitting elements could be made out ofsuitable plastic materials, wood, metal and any other suitable materialwhich will provide sufficient stiffness to allow the wrist brace toapply focused pressure to the tendons. Again, as previously mentioned,the size, shape and location of the various pressure transmittingmembers can be varied, as needed, in order to apply the focused pressureto the particular tendons of interest, in part, due to the differenthand/wrist sizes of the wearers. Additionally, while only fourindividual pressure transmitting members are shown in the embodiments,additional or less pressure transmitting members could be used. Itshould be appreciated that the wrist brace, and the method ofalleviating wrist pain in accordance with the present invention, can usea single pressure transmitting member disposed on a main body or can bemade with different combinations of the pressure transmitting membersdisclosed herein. For example, if an individual is only suffering fromulnar neuritis, a single pressure transmitting member could be disposedon the flexible main body to impart focus pressure only onto the flexorcarpi ulnaris. The wrist brace could be made with any number ofdifferent combinations of pressure transmitting members which willdeliver the focus pressure to the desired tendons of interests.

The pressure transmitting members can be secured to the flexible mainbody by using any one of a number of fastening techniques. For example,the members could be adhesively bonded to the inner surface of the mainbody using adhesives and well known bonding materials. The main bodycould include pockets or pouches which house the pressure transmittingmembers. Alternatively, the members could be attached using hook andloop fasteners which allow the members to be removed and replaced on themain body to ensure that the members are properly aligned over thetendon(s) of interest. For example, the inner surface of then main bodycould include loop material which fastens onto hook fasteners attachedto the underside of the pressure transmitting members. In this fashion,the pressure transmitting members can be removed and reattached to theinner surface as desired.

While the invention has been illustrated and described herein, in termsof a wrist brace and method for alleviating and preventing wrist pain,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the methods of thepresent invention could be incorporated with other devices.Additionally, the wrist brace with pressure transmitting members can beformed in other structural configurations as well. Further, othermodifications and improvements can be made without departing from thescope of the present invention. While particular forms of the inventionhave been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A wrist brace, comprising: a flexible main body having an outersurface and an inner surface, the main body being adapted to be worn onthe hand of the wearer with the inner surface in contact with the hand;a pressure transmitting member disposed on the main body and adapted toapply focused pressure to the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons andflexor digitorium profundus tendons of the wrist in the region of thetransverse carpal ligament.
 2. The wrist brace of claim 1, furtherincluding another pressure transmitting member disposed on the flexiblemain body and adapted to apply focused pressure to the flexor carpiulnaris tendon of the wrist in the region of the transverse carpalligament.
 3. The wrist brace of claim 1, wherein the pressuretransmitting member also applies focused pressure to the palaris longustendon of the wrist in the region of the transverse carpal ligament. 4.The wrist brace of claim 1, further including a pressure transmittingmember disposed on the flexible main body and adapted to apply focusedpressure to the flexor carpi radialis tendon of the wrist in the regionof the transverse carpal ligament.
 5. The wrist brace of claim 2,further including a pressure transmitting member disposed on theflexible main body and adapted to apply focused pressure to the flexorcarpi radialis tendon of the wrist in the region of the transversecarpal ligament.
 6. The wrist brace of claim 5, further including apressure transmitting member disposed on the flexible main body andadapted to apply focused pressure to the flexor carpi radialis tendon ofthe wrist in the region of the transverse carpal ligament.
 7. The wristbrace of claim 1, further including a pressure transmitting memberdisposed on the flexible main body and adapted to apply focused pressureto the extensor digitorum tendons and extensor indicis tendon of thewrist in the region of the extensor retinaculum.
 8. The wrist brace ofclaim 2, further including a pressure transmitting member disposed onthe flexible main body and adapted to apply focused pressure to theextensor digitorum tendons and extensor indicis tendon of the wrist inthe region of the extensor retinaculum.
 9. The wrist brace of claim 5,further including a pressure transmitting member disposed on theflexible main body and adapted to apply focused pressure to the extensordigitorum tendons and extensor indicis tendon of the wrist in the regionof the extensor retinaculum.
 10. The wrist brace of claim 6, furtherincluding a pressure transmitting member disposed on the flexible mainbody and adapted to apply focused pressure to the extensor digitorumtendons and extensor indicis tendon of the wrist in the region of theextensor retinaculum.
 11. The wrist brace of claim 1, wherein theflexible, main body is made from an elastic material.
 12. The wristbrace of claim 1, wherein the flexible, main body is designed to be wornon either the left hand or the right hand.
 13. The wrist brace of claim1, wherein the flexible, main body is a glove.
 14. The wrist brace ofclaim 11, further including a fastener associated with the flexible mainbody for fixing the amount pressure that the flexible, main body exertson the wearer's hand.
 15. The wrist brace of claim 1, wherein theflexible, main body is an elastic bandage-like strap having a openingfor receiving the thumb of the user.
 16. A wrist brace, comprising: aflexible elongate body having a opening for receiving the thumb of thewearer, the flexible body being adapted to be wrapped around the hand ofthe wearer, the body having an outer surface and an inner surface withthe inner surface coming in contact with the hand of the wearer; apressure transmitting member disposed on the main body and adapted toapply focused pressure to the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons andflexor digitorium profundus tendons of the wrist in the region of thetransverse carpal ligament.
 17. The wrist brace of claim 16, furtherincluding a hook and loop fastener system associated with the flexiblebody.
 18. A method for preventing or reducing wrist pain on a user,comprising: providing a flexible, main body having a pressuretransmitting member disposed thereto; and positioning the pressuretransmitting member over the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons andflexor digitorium profundus tendons of the wrist in the region of thetransverse carpal ligament to apply a focused pressure thereto.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further including: providing a second pressuretransmitting member on the flexible, main body; and positioning thesecond pressure transmitting member over the flexor carpi ulnaris tendonof the wrist in the region of the transverse carpal ligament to apply afocused pressure thereto.
 20. The method of claim 18, further including:providing a second pressure transmitting member on the flexible, mainbody; and positioning the second pressure transmitting member over theextensor digitorum and extensor indicis tendons of the wrist in theregion of the extensor retinaculum to apply a focused pressure thereto.